Introduction

Imagine a world without depression where depression doesn’t have a place in your life, where it’s a disease of the past, no longer an ever-present force in your life. The reality is a world without depression is possible. What does it look like? What is the environment like? How do people live their lives? Is it just as dark as today’s world with just as many people suffering from Manic Depression and Bipolar Disorder? Sometimes it helps to imagine a world without depression. When you can’t see a way out of a particular problem, you tend to get stuck there. If you want to be depressed, all you need is to stop doing whatever helped lift your mood. This post will delve deeply into the cause of depression, tips on preventing depression from striking, and various psychological treatments available for depression.

Imagine a World Without Depression

Imagine a world without depression. It sounds impossible. Think about that for a moment. Imagine a world without depression.

A world without depression.

Such a world would be filled with peace, tranquility, and love.

There would be no wars or fighting.

There would be no hate, jealousy, resentment, greed, or violence.

There would be no poverty.

There would be no sickness or disease.

There would be no sadness, loneliness, or despair.

There would be no sadness.

There would be no loneliness.

There would be no despair.

There would be no depression.

There would be no anger.

There would be no hate.

There would be no jealousy.

There would be no greed.

There would be no violence.

There would be no poverty.

There would be no sickness.

Imagine waking up tomorrow without anxiety, without fear, without worry, without forgetting, without fear of not knowing.

Imagine living your life without fear, anxiety, worry, and insecurity.

Imagine trusting yourself, trusting your instincts, trusting your intuition, trusting your God.

Imagine living your life without fear.

Imagine living your life without depression.

 

The reasons behind depression

 

Depression affects millions of people around the world every year. The good news is depression can often be treated, and most people with depression can lead a productive life.

What causes depression?

Depression is a complex mental illness. The exact causes of depression aren’t well understood, but research suggests that a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors play a role.

Depression can be triggered by life events, such as losing a job or divorce. It can also result from biological factors, such as medication or an underlying illness.

Research also suggests that the environment shapes depression. For example, growing up in poverty or violence at home may contribute to depression.

Depression can affect people differently. Some people have symptoms only during certain times, such as feeling sad or stressed. Others experience symptoms all the time.

People who experience depression are likely to have other mental health problems, such as anxiety or addiction.

Depression is often treated with talk therapy, antidepressants, or a combination of the two. If depression persists, people may need to enter a treatment program.

The biggest misconception about depression

 

Depression is a pervasive and devastating illness. The emotional pain it causes is profound, and its impact can be felt across all aspects of a person’s life.

For the person who suffers from it, depression can feel like unrelenting darkness. For others, depression can be hidden, as the symptoms manifest themselves through a range of physical or emotional behaviors rather than an inability to feel joy.

But regardless of who it affects, depression is a severe illness that can have lasting effects on a person’s relationships and career.

Depression is treatable, and many people experience a full recovery, but it takes a lot of support, time, and a commitment to overcome the condition.

Despite its severity, depression is still misunderstood. Many people incorrectly believe that depression is caused solely by sadness and that it’s a temporary condition — like sadness after losing a loved one or sadness after the death of a pet.

While sadness after loss is natural — and, in fact, an essential part of the grieving process — depression is an illness that afflicts millions of people each year.

Being surrounded by negative people and situations can contribute to depression. The loss of a loved one or a significant relationship, physical illness, financial pressure, and relationship problems can lead to depression.

While depression is an illness, it isn’t something a person chooses. It’s an illness that strikes unexpectedly, and it’s a serious one. While some people experience depression for a short time, others experience it for decades.

 

How to prevent depression

 

The metaphors we use to describe our reality shape our reality. So, if we are depressed, we might think the world is dark, lonely, and sad. If we think of depression as an illness, we might feel like a burden to ourselves and others.

If we think depression is caused by bad behavior, we might feel blamed for our condition. If we believe the problem is situational, we might feel helpless and hopeless.

These two false metaphors — the world is dark and full of sadness, and we’re to blame for our depression — are at the heart of my new book, The Upward Spiral.

These false metaphors are powerful because they offer an explanation, a reason, and a way out. They show up again and again in self-help books and daily conversations about mental illness.

Unfortunately, these explanations and reasons are false.

The Upward Spiral argues that depression isn’t caused by anything we do; no behavior or situation can make depression disappear. Instead, depression is the result of how we think — how we see the world and the way we feel about the world.

When we see the world as dark and lonely, when we blame ourselves for our depression, and when we feel helpless to change it, we’re less likely to see a way out. But when we see it as a mental problem and feel like we’re capable of changing it, we’re more likely to see a way out.

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment — to your thoughts, emotions, and sensations as they come and go.

When you practice mindfulness, you deepen your awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and feelings.

 

Conclusion

 

Depression is a severe and sometimes deadly illness, and it’s not shy of affecting anyone. The best medicine for any problem is to freeze yourself from the toxins that cause depression and take advantage of an online psychology course to freeze your condition. It is not just something that happens to you, but an illness that’s happening to your brain. Understanding the underlying processes of depression will help people overcome it more effectively. Don’t let depression overwhelm you, seek help. Encouraging people to seek professional help can help reduce social stigma around mental illness. You wouldn’t want to imagine a world without friends or family, so don’t let depression define you as a person. Depression is treatable!

 

Introduction

 

Depression and anxiety are both mental conditions that need proper treatment. The main difference is that while depression involves a persistent low mood and an inability to enjoy previously pleasurable activities, anxiety involves overwhelming feelings of worry and apprehension about everyday situations. While the depressive disorder can lead to suicidal tendencies, anxiety leads to panic attacks, sleeping disorders, constant worrying, and other acute conditions. In this blog post, I will explain the fine line between depression and anxiety, as well as how stigma affects those who suffer from either state.

 

Learn about different kinds of depression and anxiety

 

Depression and anxiety are closely related but aren’t the same. Depression is a clinical disorder characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and exhaustion. Anxiety can be mild or severe, but it’s generally characterized by feelings of stress and worry, often accompanied by physical symptoms like hives, nausea, or muscle tension.

Most people will experience mild anxiety at some point in their lives. The fear of public speaking, for example, is anxiety, as is worrying about making a mistake at work. Many people also experience anxiety around how others perceive them, identified as a social anxiety disorder. Some people — about 8 percent — are diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is characterized by persistent feelings of fear, nervousness, and restlessness.

Anxiety and depression share some of the same risk factors. Both are often caused by a combination of genetics, behavior, and life experiences, like trauma, illness, or injury. Some evidence also points to environmental factors, like exposure to toxins, such as lead and asbestos.

 

 

Know what you’re up against and what you need to know

 

Depression and anxiety are two of the most debilitating conditions you can suffer from. They can interfere with your ability to work, sleep, enjoy social activities, and do anything else you’d do daily. They cause physical ailments, including headaches, stomachaches, and chronic pain. The conditions are so widespread and disruptive that the World Health Organization (WHO) classified them as “serious mental and psychosocial disorders” in 2005.

Without the proper care, depression can last a lifetime. But with the appropriate treatment, depression, and anxiety can often be managed effectively.

Here’s a closer look at depression and anxiety:

Anxiety. This term refers to a wide range of emotional reactions, including stress, fear, and worry. While these feelings are normal and can be helpful at times, anxiety can be debilitating.

Depression. Many people equate depression with sadness, but the condition is much broader than that. Many people who experience depression feel hopeless or helpless, while others experience worthlessness or overwhelming sadness.

 

 

Learn how to cope and seek treatment

 

Depression and anxiety disorders are serious mental illnesses, and many people who struggle with them say that they’ve experienced severe feelings of hopelessness, guilt, and worthlessness.

But right alongside those crippling emotions, many people also experience debilitating physical symptoms, such as fatigue, headaches, stomach problems, and trouble sleeping.

These symptoms can make it difficult to work, care for loved ones or even take care of oneself.

Fortunately, help is available.

People who suffer from depression or anxiety can seek treatment at mental health facilities, which can provide medications and therapy.

Medication for depression. Anti-depressants are the first-line treatment for depression, especially severe cases that don’t respond to psychotherapy and lifestyle changes.

There are lots of types of antidepressants, and each works a little differently. It’s essential to have a treatment plan that considers the medications you’re taking and that your doctor monitors your progress closely.

Psychotherapy for depression. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is another type of primary treatment for depression. It can help you learn to manage your thoughts and behaviors in ways that allow you to live a fulfilling life.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is the most popular type of psychotherapy for depression. It can help you identify your negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones and teach you to challenge your negative beliefs.

Psychotherapy for anxiety disorders. In addition to medications and psychotherapy, many people also turn to psychotherapy for anxiety treatment.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help people identify their anxiety triggers and teach them techniques to manage their anxiety.

In addition to CBT, the APA says that exposure therapy, or “exposure and response prevention,” may be a good option for some people with anxiety issues.

 

 

Cognitive-Behavioral Approach to Being Depressed

 

Depression can take many forms, but it is usually characterized by sadness or feeling “down in the dumps” for an extended period. Yet, depression can have serious long-term effects on a person.

Depression has a variety of causes, and, like many other mental health disorders, it can be treated.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of psychotherapy that is focused on changing behavior. CBT involves analyzing patterns of thinking, feelings, and behaviors and then changing how they relate to a person’s life.

The cognitive-behavioral approach to depression involves changing negative or dysfunctional thoughts, behaviors, and feelings into positive ones. This approach is an effective treatment for depression.

CBT for depression involves working with a therapist to identify and change negative ways of thinking.

For example, people who believe that they are “bad” or “unlovable” might internalize these negative thoughts and feelings.

Through CBT, individuals might challenge these beliefs and replace them with the impression that they are worthy of love or that being inadequate or unworthy isn’t true.

CBT for depression also involves identifying and changing behaviors that may contribute to negative thoughts and feelings.

For example, a person might try to “numb out” their feelings or avoid specific people, places, or activities.

Through CBT, a person may instead learn to identify and deal with uncomfortable feelings, such as sadness or frustration, in productive ways.

CBT for depression is usually short-term, intending to help the patient productively manage symptoms.

However, some people with depression may be unable to overcome their problems through CBT. In those cases, psychiatrists may recommend medication.

A clinical trial has shown that CBT is more effective than medication.

 

Conclusion

 

For many people, depression and anxiety are a daily struggle, but with proper care, they can be managed. Complete health is possible for many, so get help when you need it.  Our emotions are not well understood, but that doesn’t mean there’s no treatment. Learn the difference between depression and anxiety, as well as how to combat each. It is an important distinction as both these conditions require different forms of treatment. Don’t let mental health issues hold you back. The sooner you seek the help of a professional, the better. You’re not alone. Fortunately, you live in a time when there are some resources to help you cope with these issues.

 

Introduction

 

Are you living with depression and anxiety? Do you know that there is a common psychological factor among depression and anxiety? One scary psychological aspect you need to know is if you want to cure depression and anxiety. You have to know this because it’s the only way to fix your depression and anxiety. If you feel fear-stricken and depressed all the time, you’re not alone. This mental illness impacts millions of people all over the world. It’s no secret that human beings are prone to mental illnesses, but other things are at play, causing so many of us to have symptoms consistent with depression or anxiety.

 

The common psychological factor among depression and anxiety

 

The most common psychological factor among depression and anxiety is “feeling overwhelmed,” said Dr. Kenneth Zucker, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at New York University Langone Medical Center.

“The feeling that you’re struggling to keep up with everything,” he said, “is a common experience, widespread, among patients with anxiety and depression.”

“Dr. Zucker says that the feeling of overwhelm happens to all of us sometimes, but it’s especially problematic in people who are depressed or anxious.

“When you feel overloaded, your thinking slows down, and that, in turn, may activate symptoms like irritability, agitation, fatigue and problems with concentration,” said Dr. Zucker.

“Unmanaged, these feelings can spiral into full-fledged depression and anxiety,” he said.

For people who are depressed, feeling overwhelmed can feed feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, which, in turn, can worsen depression.

Anxiety can be made worse by feeling overloaded, too.

“The experience of anxiety is one where you’re worrying, and thinking about the future, and worrying about the past, and feeling like you’re always on edge,” said Dr. Zucker. “So you tend to be hypervigilant, and that’s one of the symptoms of anxiety.”

People with depression or anxiety often also experience feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, fatigue and problems with concentration.

These negative thoughts and feelings can contribute to feelings of vulnerability, leading to more negative thoughts and feelings.

“So even if you’re already feeling relatively calm and relaxed, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can trigger that downward spiral that starts with negative thoughts and feelings,” said Dr. Zucker.

 

 

Fear of failing

 

According to an article published in Harvard Business Review, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are among the top 10 reasons people avoid taking action.

“Whenever you’re afraid of failing, you tend to avoid taking action,” writes David Rock, a Ph.D. psychology professor at the University of California, San Diego, and co-author of the book, The Confidence Code.

“People who express anxiety are often afraid to fail, so they avoid developing skills or taking risks. They’ll stay where they are, even if they’re unhappy because they’re afraid of being vulnerable,” Rock writes.

People who lack confidence, however, are typical “risk-takers.” They have the temperament to build and try out new skills.

Unfortunately, Rock points out; this trait is “often viewed as undesirable.”

“People who are confident are perceived as arrogant,” he writes. “They’re also often perceived as having high self-esteem. That’s problematic because high self-esteem can be detrimental to learning and growth – which is the opposite of what you want.”

So how can you increase your self-confidence?

First, pay attention to your self-talk. Do you talk to yourself as though you’re a terrible person? Do you tell yourself you’re unlovable?

“Self-talk is how your brain talks to itself,” says Rock. “If you always think you’re stupid or fat or unattractive, your brain will judge you accordingly.”

Second, realize that you aren’t broken, says Rock. “You don’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to be perfect now. But the first step to improving is to stop believing, ‘I’m broken.’”

 

 

Social comparison

 

A new study suggests there’s a way to beat anxiety, depression and stress.

It’s all about social comparison.

According to researchers from New Zealand, the phenomenon, which has been studied over the years, is the “root of much stress and anxiety in modern society.”

“Social comparison describes the way that people compare themselves to others to gain status or achievement,” they write in a paper published in the journal Current Biology.

“It may thus be seen as the root of much stress and anxiety in modern society.”

In the study, the researchers analyzed the eye movements of 120 young participants while they viewed images of other people.

“These ratings were graded for each participant on a 1-5 scale, where 1 represented ‘very negative’ and 5 ‘very positive,'” they write.

The eye movements were then analyzed to discover exactly what was being compared.

“Overall, participants rated the social comparison stimuli (face images) as significantly more negative than non-social comparison stimuli (non-face images),” they write.

“This effect was more pronounced for the eyes, as rated by participants, than for the mouth, as rated by participants.”

The researchers believe that social comparison is a vital part of socialization, which helps children learn how to behave in different situations.

“The social comparison effect is thus not just an aspect of human psychology, but also an evolutionary adaptation,” they write.

“By comparing themselves to others, people learn which behaviors lead to status within a given group and thus, what behaviors to avoid.”

 

Anxiety can TRIGGER depression – or depression can trigger ANXIETY

 

Anxiety and depression are two sides of the same coin. Both disorders share many of the same symptoms.

Anxiety and depression are closely related, and anxiety and depression often occur together. Recent studies show that nearly 15% of depression and anxiety diagnoses involve a co-occurring disorder.

And while anxiety generally precedes a depressive episode, a depressive episode can be the catalyst for anxiety — people who are depressed often have trouble sleeping, are restless and irritable, and have difficulty concentrating.

Both depression and anxiety are chronic conditions, and treatment can take time. It’s important to remember that many cases of anxiety and depression can be treated and that, with the right medicines, most people get better.

 

 

Conclusion

Depression and anxiety symptoms may be alleviated by encouraging the sufferer to socialize, seek help from others, and not fear failure. There is no one size fits all solution to mental health problems, and that’s okay. It’s scary but true; depression and anxiety are brain disorders, don’t make it worse by thinking food is at fault. Eat right, exercise right, sleep right. Being active will improve your mental health more than anti-anxiety pills. If you notice some of the psychological factors in this blog and find yourself getting down or anxious more often, make a change and try to put yourself in a better mood overall.

Read our series of articles about mental illness